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Maine Grain Alliance

EIN 27-3965554 · Skowhegan, ME

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND EMPOWER PEOPLE WHO ARE BUILDING LOCAL GRAIN ECONOMIES. WE CREATE CONNECTIONS AND SHARE GRAIN TRADITIONS AND INNOVATIONS FROM EARTH TO TABLE. WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND SHARE HOW BEST TO GROW AND USE GRAINS, USING A COMBINATION OF TRADITIONAL, INNOVATIVE, AND SUSTAINABLE TECHNIQUES. THE ALLIANCE PROMOTES BENEFICIAL USES OF GRAIN FOR GOOD HEALTH, FOOD INDEPENDENCE, AND PURPOSEFUL JOBS WITHIN VIABLE COMMUNITIES. THE ALLIANCE CONNECTS PEOPLE AND SUPPORTS THE ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND NUTRITIONAL IMPORTANCE FOR ESTABLISHING REGIONAL GRAIN ECONOMIES.

Income
$278,065
Spending
$264,368
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
7.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
2
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$64,715, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $115,208 spent. KNEADING AND BREAD CONFERENCE - THE ANNUAL KNEADING CONFERENCE BRINGS TOGETHER FARMERS, PROFESSIONAL AND HOME BAKERS, CHEFS, COOKS, GRAIN RESEARCHERS, MALTSTERS, FOOD ENTREPRENEURS, AND WOOD-FIRED OVEN ENTHUSIASTS TO EDUCATE ONE ANOTHER ABOUT THE ART AND SCIENCE OF GROWING AND MILLING GRAINS AND BAKING ARTISAN BREADS. THE ANNUAL ARTISAN BREAD FAIR IS A FREE SUMMER FESTIVAL OFFERING WOOD-FIRED OVEN DEMONSTRATIONS, ARTISAN BREAD SAMPLINGS, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK WITH PROFESSIONAL BAKERS AND EXPLORE THE BEST BOOKS, TOOLS, AND DELICIOUS ACCOUTREMENTS TO WHOLE GRAIN AND CONVENTIONAL BREAD BAKING.
  2. $19,223 spent. EDUCATION AND EVENTS - PROVIDE GRAIN AND BAKING EDUCATION PROGRAMS THROUGH LIVE AND ONLINE WORKSHOPS, BAKING TIPS, FREE LEARNING RESOURCES, VIDEOS, HANDBOOKS AND MORE PROVIDED BY EXPERTS IN THE FIELD.
  3. $45,092 spent. GRAIN COMMUNITY SUPPORT - RESTORE RARE AND HERITAGE VARIETY GRAINS BY TURNING HANDFULS OF CAREFULLY KEPT SEED INTO COMMERCIALLY VIABLE QUANTITIES FOR FARMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2011.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.